Mat McBriar's punt is blocked during overtime of the Cowboys' 30-24 overtime loss to Arizona on Sunday.
There is so much blame to go around about the Cowboys’ 30-24 loss to Arizona that it may be tough to sort everything out.
Let’s Blame Bruce Read
Sunday’s game against Arizona started in less-than-stellar fashion, as J.J. Arringon returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. The game ended in overtime when Sean Morey blocked a Mat McBriar punt deep in Dallas territory, and Monty Beisel picked up the ball and walked into the end zone. This was the first time that a game has ended on a blocked punt return for a touchdown.
It should also be the last time that Bruce Read coaches the Cowboys’ special teams, which have been disgraceful, at least as far as the coverage units are concerned.
We’ll come back to special teams a little bit later.
Let’s Blame Romo
How about a Pro Bowl quarterback who cannot keep a grasp on the football. Tony Romo very nearly lost four fumbles today. The one that he did lose came during the first quarter when the Cowboys had just recovered a Kurt Warner fumble. This play came about three plays after Romo appeared to have lost the ball in Dallas territory, but the referees called the play dead.
Late in the second quarter, Romo appeared to have given the Cardinals a 14-0 when he lost the ball near the goalline, but the play was ruled an incomplete pass thanks to the tuck rule. Thankfully, the Cowboys rebounded by eventually scoring a touchdown pass from Romo to Patrick Crayton, who finally reemerged.
When the Cardinals tied the game at 14, Tashard Choice made a huge play by recovering an onside kick, giving Dallas the ball in Arizona territory. It looked as if Dallas would get at least a field goal, but Romo missed a high snap on a third down play and had to fall on the ball all the way back at the Arizona 47. This led to a punt, which leads us to our next focus of blame…
Let’s Blame the Secondary
When the Cowboys’ defense needed to step up in the second half, it struggled. Arizona scored on its first three drives of the second half, which allowed the Cardinals to take a 24-14 lead. During those drives, the Cardinals convered five straight third downs, including a screen pass on 3rd-and-17 play when Tim Hightower meandered his way to midfield to convert.
The best receiver on the field for either side today? Steve Breaston (8 rec., 102 yards).
Let’s Blame Flozell
The entire offensive line struggled today, but Tony Romo was getting hit frequently from behind. That is Flozell Adams’ territory, and it was clear that he was beaten by speed rushes several times today.
Let’s Blame Deon Anderson
The blocker who was beaten when Tony Romo was sacked in overtime on first down was fullback Deon Anderson. Chike Okeafor ran right around Anderson and was able to run straight towards Romo, who rolled to his left. Romo, of course, fumbled the ball, but he recovered his own fumble.
Let’s Blame the Special Teams – Again
When Nick Folk lined up for the game-tying field goal at the end of regulation, his first attempt was blocked, but the Cardinals called timeout right before the attempt. This allowed Folk to make his field goal, but the block foreshadowed the punt block in the end zone.
According to the Dallas Morning News, Bruce Read gambled on the punt by moving Kevin Burnett out of position from left tackle to left guard. The left tackle on the play was #23 Tashard Choice, who never touched Morey.
In the shots below, look at the left side of the screen. Choice is #23. He steps inside, missing Morey altogether.
[singlepic=50,320,240,,center]
[singlepic=49,320,240,,center]
[singlepic=51,320,240,,center]
[singlepic=48,320,240,,center]
[singlepic=47,320,240,,center]
Mitigation
Hats off to a few players for their performances:
* Marion Barber: Big-time players make big-time plays. His catch-and-run late in the fourth quarter that turned into a touchdown was huge.
* Nick Folk: Folk should not receive an A for his overall effort, given that he missed a field goal and still struggles with kickoffs. However, hitting a 52-yarder to tie the game is what we expect from a big-time clutch kicker.
* Jay Ratliff: One player on defense who seems to be a difference-maker more than others is the team’s nose tackle.
Romo out 4 weeks with broken pinkie.
Lets hope Brad can keep us in the game.
Let’s hope that Brad is a reincarnation of Steve Beuerlein.
Hopefully this is a wake up call. The special teams, defense, and offensive line suck as well as our defense. Romo’s injury can turn out to be positive if we come together as a team. Our coaching staff needs a wake up call. Pacman is not the answer on punt returns nor is he making the big plays on D. Run the ball! (Get healthy F.Jones, T.Newman we need you) We should consider signing T. Glenn to spread out the football field and strike some fear in the opposing teams DB hopefully this will get T.O. and J. Witten some more looks. But the bottom line is we need to run the ball 60% of the game. P.S. I’m a Cowboys fan but this these players are not playing as a team. Dallas is lacking leadership from coaching on down. The penalties need to stop! (Last game alone 12 penalties for 93 yards) We lack control, obedience, discipline.
Thanks, CJ. Bringing in Johnson could be beneficial in a few very specific ways; that is, change the focus from downfield passes and play at little bit of ball control. If we can do that (running game, shorter passes) and if the defense can step up to win the game by itself for practical purposes, we could see dividends when we get closer to full strength.
The coverage has to improve on both kickoffs and punts. If we don’t see improvement there, the special teams are going to lose more games for us.
Confidents Know one can stop you. without it you are defeated before you start. This is for the Team. T.O. is your leader. Understand that he has the desire. T.O. is your Leader you can’t be stopped. Notice what he said you have to go out there and take it. Confidents.